When he formally withdrew from the Methodist Church his family
suffered financially but his wife stood steadfast behind his decision.
She reportedly asked him, “Do you conscientiously believe that the new
doctrines are true?” When he said he did, she charged him: “Then give up
everything for the truth.”
“My dear wife,” he said, “if I do that, you and our children may starve.”
She was undeterred. “No,” she said calmly, “the Lord will provide. I and
the children will trust in Him.”
(BMH)
what leads us
The turbulent election process going on in the United States leaves little doubt
that whoever is elected President in November, much of the country – and
perhaps many in the world – will be unhappy and concerned.
But although we get caught up in the personalities and policies of our
leaders, it is important to remember that “who” leads us is never as important
as “what” leads us.
In the United States what leads us ultimately includes: the conviction in
the Declaration of Independence that our inalienable rights flow from God;
the core protections of the Constitution, invested first in individual liberty;
and trust in the common values of “we the people.”
It was Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed, “Give the people the facts and
the country will be safe.”
He also wrote, well after his presidency: “I know of no safe depository of
the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them
not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion,
the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion.”
So as we take the measure of those who would lead us, we need to take the
measure of ourselves in standing up for what will lead us.
(BMH)
choose this day . . .
In this graduation season for the Academy of the New Church Secondary
Schools and Bryn Athyn College it is worth reflecting on what is distinctive
and special about them.
The mission of the Secondary Schools begins: “Our core purpose is to
prepare students for a principled and useful life in this world and the next.”
The mission of the College declares up front that its education “challenges
students to develop spiritual purpose” and that the ultimate purpose “is to
enhance students’ civil, moral and spiritual lives, and to contribute to human
spiritual welfare.”
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